as in preparatory
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows
we need to do some preliminary research in order to properly focus the experiment
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in prelude
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event
a meeting to discuss seating arrangements that was merely a preliminary to the formal negotiating sessions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preliminary
New Atlas, 30 Oct. 2025
Usually, the swimsuit competition is a preliminary competition, taking place before the official coronation on the final night of the pageant.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
The women’s steeplechase preliminaries begin Sept. 15 with the finals to follow on Sept. 17.
—Idaho Statesman, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Adjective
The Sax is being developed by BPD and preliminary construction work has just begun on the project.
—New Atlas, 30 Oct. 2025
Usually, the swimsuit competition is a preliminary competition, taking place before the official coronation on the final night of the pageant.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
The sheriff's office preliminary determined that the body belonged to the missing teenager.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
The women’s steeplechase preliminaries begin Sept. 15 with the finals to follow on Sept. 17.
—Idaho Statesman, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminary
Adjective
-
Pacific Ridge School, an independent, co-ed, college preparatory day school in Carlsbad, started its 19th academic year with the Annual Trustee Dinner.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Those preparatory projects included the installation of new capping roofs to weatherproof the buildings for a long period of care and maintenance, as well as the rerouting of electrical supplies and de-planting of boiler equipment.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In Danis Tanovic’s underseen drama, Farrell plays an Irish war photographer who gets separated from his best friend and colleague in Iraqi Kurdistan in the prelude to Saddam Hussein’s 1988 extermination campaign against the Kurds.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
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At first, the scene feels like an engrossing, elevating prelude.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Sign up today with coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 20% off.—
Celia Fernandez,
CNBC,
29 Oct. 2025
-
My introductory archaeology students try their hand at experimental archaeology by attempting to replicate a prehistoric bone awl (piercing tool).—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminary. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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